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Colorado
1.6 mi
Distance
108 ft
Gain
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Mesa Verde National Park
National Park unit boundary is mapped — agency alerts for it feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
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Why you'll love it
Knife Edge Trail
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
Knife Edge Trail is a 1.6-mile hiking route located in Colorado and managed by the National Park Service. The trail features modest elevation gain of 108 feet, making it accessible for hikers of varying skill levels. Situated within an NPS-protected wilderness area, the trail offers visitors a chance to experience federally managed public lands in Colorado. The relatively short distance and low elevation gain make this trail suitable for families, casual hikers, or those seeking a quick outdoor excursion. The NPS designation ensures the area maintains conservation standards and public access protections. Hikers can expect well-maintained pathways typical of NPS-managed trails, though conditions may vary seasonally. This route provides an opportunity to explore Colorado's natural landscape without requiring extensive time commitment or advanced hiking experience. The trail's proximity to Colorado makes it convenient for both local residents and travelers in the region. Check current conditions and any seasonal closures through the National Park Service before planning your visit.
Point Lookout Trail
~1 min drive
<p>The Point Lookout Trail climbs up the iconic Point Lookout, the geological formation that towers above the park entrance. The trail offers views of the San Juan and La Plata Mountains, as well as Mancos and Montezuma Valleys.</p> <h4>Trail Description</h4> <p>The 2.2-mile (…
Prater Ridge Trail
~1 min drive
<p>The trail traverses Prater Ridge which divides Prater and Morefield Canyons. The South Loop offers views into Prater Canyon, named for an early pioneer family. The North Loop ascends for views into Montezuma Valley and the beautiful San Juan Mountains.</p> <h4>Trail Descrip…
Farming Terrace Trail
~14 min drive
<p>This short, moderate trail winds along a series of farming terraces built by the Ancestral Pueblo people. Constructing check dams in a natural drainage to create farming terraces was a useful dryland farming technique. Soil and moisture collected behind the check dams durin…
Spruce Canyon Trail
~15 min drive
<p>The Spruce Canyon Trail offers an opportunity to explore the canyon bottoms of Mesa Verde and discover the plants and wildlife that live in this habitat. Parts of this canyon trail offers the shade of Douglas Fir trees and the coolness and humidity of a natural wetland area…
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail
~17 min drive
<p><em>Soda Canyon Overlook Trail and Cliff Palace Loop Road are open 8 am to sunset from late spring to December 1, or until the first significant snowfall.</em><br /> <br /> This easy, out-and-back trail meanders through the mesa top pinyon-juniper forest to three overlooks…
Balcony House Parking Area
~17 min drive
<em>The Balcony House Parking Area and Cliff Palace Loop Road are open 8 am to sunset from late spring to December 1, or until the first significant snowfall.</em><br /> <br /> Soda Canyon is visible from the Balcony House Parking Area, but surprisingly, Balcony House is not.…
Cliff Canyon Overlook
~17 min drive
<em>Cliff Canyon Overlook and Cliff Palace Loop Road are open 8 am to sunset from late spring to December 1, or until the first significant snowfall.</em><br /> <br /> The Cliff Canyon Overlook opens up to a stunning view of Cliff Canyon. In the 1200s, Cliff Canyon was a thriv…
Square Tower House
~17 min drive
Here, you see one of their most spectacular architectural achievements, built six centuries later.<br /> <br /> This cliff dwelling includes the tallest standing architecture in Mesa Verde, a four-story, 27-foot (8 m) tall structure that was part of an even larger building com…
House of Many Windows Overlook
~18 min drive
<em>House of Many Windows Overlook and Cliff Palace Loop Road are open 8 am to s</em><em>unset from late spring to December 1, or until the first significant snowfall.</em><br /> <br /> House of Many Windows is a small cliff dwelling perched on a ten-foot-wide ledge in Cliff C…
Hemenway House Overlook
~18 min drive
<em>Hemenway House Overlook and Cliff Palace Loop Road are open 8 am</em> <em>to s</em><em>unset from late spring to December 1, or until the first significant snowfall.</em><br /> <br /> Perched on a remote cliff in Soda Canyon, Hemenway House looks to fall off the small ledg…
